With the eyes of southwest Missouri hoops fans on the Blue & Gold Tournament, Republic put on a show that fans would not soon forget. The Tigers stormed through the early rounds in the tournament’s Gold Division, and won two thrilling games in the semifinals and finals to capture the championship. You voted their tournament run as the #4 story of 2011-2012.

In the semifinals, Republic needed late heroics from Payton Looney and Nick Yocum to squeak by Marshfield. And led by Grant Hancock in the final, the Tigers overcame a 10-point deficit in the 4th quarter to beat top-seeded Hillcrest in overtime.

It was the first Blue & Gold Championship for Republic since 1992, when the Tigers beat Aurora to win the Blue Division.